Beef wellington brilliance
Not everyone loves turkey and ham and if you’re planning a cosy Christmas dinner for two, James Whelan Butchers has a special treat.
They have just launched a very special signature dish, beef wellington, which will be part of the now award-winning dine at home collection of restaurant-quality meals for two.
Named after the man who crushed Napoleon at Waterloo, the very notion of preparing beef wellington casts fear into the hearts of the most competent of home cooks.
However, this limited-edition beef wellington is hand-prepared and comes oven-ready, needing the minimum of preparation time.
Ideal for people looking for an easier approach to the most important meal of the year, simply pop it into a preheated oven at 200°C for 25 to 35 minutes to achieve rare to medium - and rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Made with prime aged Irish beef fillet, wrapped in a mushroom duxelles, buttery puff pastry with fresh herbs and sea salt, it is a delicious serving for two people.
Available to order in-store or online through James Whelan Butchers seasonal click and collect service.
For more details on James Whelan Butchers' online Christmas shop, click and collect and ordering service, visit www.jameswhelanbutchers.com.
Big win for Maura O’Connell Foley
If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for the food lover in your life, then check out My Wild Atlantic Kitchen: Recipes and Recollections.
This compilation of the favourite recipes of acclaimed chef Maura O’Connell Foley has been awarded best woman chef book at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Paris.
Released in March 2020, this book is a true labour of love, reflecting Maura’s career in Kenmare, which spans over six decades.
It not only captures over 250 dishes, it includes beautiful art, illustrations and landscape photography and features the formidable chef’s culinary recollections and stories, all expertly woven throughout.
The book perfectly communicates Maura’s ethos of keeping food simple, cooking with care and using the best available local produce.
The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards were founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau and are considered the pinnacle of food publishing, recognising and rewarding the very best food and wine books, printed or digital, as well as food television. This year, entries were received from 225 countries and regions for the awards, which are the only international competition in the sector.
Other Irish winners included Katy Lucey from Gougane Barra Hotel, who was awarded best hotel book 2021 for Cooking with Katy, and Clodagh McKenna who took home the award for best celebrity chef book for Weekend Kitchen.
My Wild Atlantic Kitchen: Recipes and Recollections (RRP €35) is available directly from www.mywildatlantickitchen.com, selected independent bookstores and via Amazon.
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